Books to Read About Stock Screening

If you're looking for more than some Web tools to educate yourself on stock screening, there are some good books available to do just that. Some could be considered classic, others simply provide one more perspective in the speculative world of investing. Here are some to browse.

Beating the Street by Peter Lynch

This is one I would consider a classic. The author was manager of the Magellan Fund for Fidelity Investments when it was outperforming everybody and everything. Yet, when authoring this book, you will find Mr. Lynch to communicate in a very down-to-earth, common sense style.

He tells you what he used as evaluation tools, why sometimes he listened more to what his wife and daughters were buying than analyst reports, and how some everyday information can really pay-off in identifying the big winners.

While the thought of reading a book on investing can be daunting, Peter Lynch manages to educate you to 'the street' while entertaining you, as well.

Stock Investing for Dummies by Paul Mladjenovic

From the Dummies series approach on everything else in the universe, comes the stock investing version for individuals that want to try and understand the complex world of investing. A Cliff's Notes of sorts, this book keeps to the basics, but covers all categories of stocks, gives instruction on what criteria to use when analyzing a stock, and gets you set to start developing your own investment portfolio.

Paul Mladjenovic provides advice for those that may not be the high rollers, risk takers, but want to get their nest egg growing for college education, retirement or a dream. Stock Investing for Dummies helps you to know what to do when the stock market is up and when its down. You'll get tips on finding a broker, interpreting company documents, choosing the best investment strategy for you, taxes, and more. Mr. Mladjenovic, a 19 -year financial planning veteran, owns his own financial services company in New Jersey.

The Neatest Little Guide to Stock Market Investing by Jason Kelly

Already in a revised edition, this book gets a 5-star rating from readers and stock people in-the-know. It not only provides you great investing information within its covers, but refers you to the latest and greatest investment software, websites, and other resources.

It made a name for itself on its first publication five years ago, being thorough yet as concise as possible for the on-the-go investor. The Neatest Little Guide addresses the post-dot.com bust and how it has changed the face of investing.

Take a look at this table of contents; why stocks are good investments, how stocks trade, preferred vs. common stock, how you make money owning stock, why and how a company sells stock, what people mean by 'the market", and how to choose a broker to buy stocks. All of this is captured within 20 pages.

Screening the Market by Marc Gerstein

This book is more for the serious investor that wants to get into the details on stock investing and understand all the terminology and ins-and-outs.

Screening the Market gets great reviews from the likes of CBS. Marketwatch.com and USA Today.

Mr. Gerstein subscribes to a 4-step method;

1. Find . . . a group of stocks worthy of further study

2. Analyze . . . a specific company and its stock

3. Buy . . . the best of the stocks that pass muster

4. Sell . . . stocks that, after review, are no longer suitable

The book is an explanation and detail of how to successfully use this method.